Perspective

Are you still with me?

I know what you are thinking. I know what I would have been thinking 2 years ago had I just been told that story. So What!? So, the names were the same - what is the big deal? You would really have to be stretching it to call that little detail a miracle. Well, it all has to do with perspective. Let me explain:

Most miracles are private events. Most are meant solely for the faith and benefit of the intimate few who are present at the time and open to the event. Most of Jesus’ miracles were done in private. He often told the people whom he healed to keep their mouths shut about it. (Which of course they couldn’t do)

John 9 has a wonderful example of how different people react in different ways to miracles. Jesus gives a man, who had been blind from birth, his sight. The man of course is thrilled. No one else seems very impressed. Most of the people think it is a trick. They justify this supernatural event, in their own minds, by saying that the man is really someone else who just happens to look like the blind guy. Even the man’s parents are not happy. The Pharisees, in typical fashion, are mad and start accusing the man of being healed by the devil. Jesus ends up saying that the people who witnessed the miracle, and denied it, were the ones who were really blind.

God, at any time, if he chose to, could simply pull back the edge of the sky, stick his head in, and yell; “Hey, Don’t make me come down there!” As far as I know he has never done anything quite that flashy. God works in mysterious ways – those ways are usually subtle. Elisha described it as a still, small voice. (I Kings 19:12)

Miracles therefore are easily missed. Our logical, natural brains have a tendency to rationalize and explain away anything supernatural. Your world has to be shaken a little before you can see the obvious. My world, at the time, was rocking.

So, I am sure that you are still thinking that the little name thingy was just a fluke, just chance, just a convenient coincidence. Well, had the name been Bill, George, Bob, John, Mark or Paul, I may concede that the chances were good - but Kendell?? Please!!

Besides, the story gets better – a lot better